U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

In 2014 a U.S.-led coalition began a campaign of airstrikes in Iraq and Syria – officially known as Operation Inherent Resolve – following the capture of large swathes of the countries by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS). An intense air and ground campaign drove ISIS out of almost all territory by 2018 but resulted in significant destruction and loss of life.

Airwars documented thousands of allegations of civilian harm from U.S.-led Coalition strikes and has conducted numerous major investigations and research papers on the topic.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

8,220 – 13,294

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the U.S.-led Coalition. These originate from 2,984 separate alleged incidents.

1,725 – 2,367
children likely killed
1,123 – 1,464
women likely killed
5,904
likely injured
3,757
named victims

U.S.-led Coalition estimate of civilian deaths

1,454

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria, originating from 360 separate incidents of civilian harm.

402
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
19,182 – 29,761
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,984 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,220 – 13,294
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,538 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
2,391 – 2,815
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
434 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
7,870 – 12,564
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
778 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
696 – 1,083
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
233 seperate alleged incidents

Civilian Casualty Incidents — U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Start Date

End Date

Strike Type

Causes of Death / Injury

Strike Status

Civilian Harm Status

Belligerent Assessment

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2981 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

28 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1859

Location

الكشمة, Al Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition airstrike targeted a building which appeared to be in use as a Daesh prison at dawn on Wedneday November 28th. Reports on the number of civilian casualties varied widely between six and 100 civilians. RT reported that six civilians died in the attack, whereas other sources such as Baladi News and Horrya…

Summary

Published
28 November 2018
Civilians reported killed
6–100
Civilians reported injured
50
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1860

Location

الكشمة, Al Kashma, Deir Ezzor, Syria
An alleged Coalition night time airstrike targeted the house of a displaced Iraqi family in Al Kashma and killed an Iraqi woman, according to local sources. Hajin News for example reported that as well as a Coalition strike on an ISIS prison in the town that day, the US-led alliance "also targeted a home that…

Summary

Published
28 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

28 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1861

Location

الشعفة, Al Shaafa, Deir Ezzor, Syria
According to local sources, an alleged Coalition airstrike targeted Al Sha'afa and killed one civilian man. The Youth of al Soussa reported that Ali Jassim Mohammed Al Furaiji died in "treacherous raids" on the town, though did not specify a culprit. Hajin News and the Syrian Observatory blamed the US-led Coalition. According to the Syrian Network,…

Summary

Published
28 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1855

Location

الكشمه, Al Kashma , Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between five and 20 civilians were reported killed in an alleged airstrike which was said to have targeted Al Kashma. All sources blamed the Coalition for the incident. Al Araby reported that "Local sources told Al Araby Al Jadid that the raids left 15 dead civilians, mostly children and women, in addition to dozens of wounded."…

Summary

Published
25 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–20
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1858

Location

هجين, Hajin, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Sources on the ground indicated that between 12 and 14 civilians, mostly women and children, were killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Hajin. All but one sources reported that 12 civilians were killed in the airstrike, according to Step News this number was confirmed by sources loyal to Daesh. Jisr TV was the only…

Summary

Published
25 November 2018
Civilians reported killed
12–24
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

25 November 2018

Incident Code

CS1854

Location

أبو الحسن, Abou Al Hasan , Deir Ezzor, Syria
Between 12 and 30 civilians were reported killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike, which one source described as a "massacre of defenseless Sunni civilians". According to Step News, 12 civilians were killed whereas the number of dead exceeded 30 according to Official Al Shaafa Facebook page. Most victims were women and children according to sources…

Summary

Published
25 November 2018
Civilians reported killed
12–30
Civilians reported injured
12–15
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident